TOYL

‘They found these photographs in his bedroom, hidden inside the mattress. He’d slit a hole in the base and slid them inside.’
    Gasnier shuffled through the set of twenty prints. ‘Any idea who the girl is?’
    Davies shook his head.
    ‘These aren’t holiday snaps,’ Gasnier noted. ‘It’s obvious that they were taken without either one or both parties knowing.’
    ‘It does look like a covert surveillance operation,’ Davies agreed. ‘That’s why I thought it would be worth showing them to you. Though I still can’t see how they could be relevant to this case.’
    ‘Who knows,’ Gasnier said. ‘But I think we should at least show these to Emma Holden.’

    ***

    ‘Emma?’ Will said. ‘Where are you?’
    ‘Just about to get the tube back to the flat,’ Emma said.
    ‘You’re not with Lizzy?’
    ‘No, I’m on my own. Lizzy had a matinee this morning and has got the evening performance tonight. I’ve just been to see Guy Roberts. He gave me an idea of how we might find out some more information about Dan – although it’s probably a long shot.’
    ‘Don’t do anything until I get there,’ Will insisted. ‘Go back to the flat and stay there until I arrive. I might even get there before you.’
    ‘What’s up?’
    ‘Nothing. I just don’t think you should be on your own at the moment. Especially with the press following you around – I just saw the story in the newspaper.’
    ‘That’s where I got my idea,’ Emma said. ‘Okay, Will, I’ll wait until you come over. It will be nice having you around.’

    ***

    ‘You sure you want to do this?’ Will said, as Emma headed for the telephone. ‘I mean, by contacting the press you might just encourage them to run more stories about you. They might try and dig even deeper into your private life.’
    ‘They might.’ Emma picked up the receiver. ‘Then again, this guy might be the best witness we have. If he has been following us all around – Stuart included – then he might have seen something, or someone that can help us find Dan.’
    ‘Wouldn’t he have said so though?’ Will suggested. ‘If he’d seen anything he would already have gone to the police.’
    ‘Probably. Although he might have seen something that to him doesn’t seem important, but actually could be really important.’
    ‘Are you sure you’re not just looking for someone to take your anger out on?’ Will said. ‘I mean, you said yourself that the guy really scared you the other night when he called on the intercom. You chased him for about half a mile.’
    ‘If he can give us any clues that help us find Dan, then I don’t mind what else he did,’ Emma replied, punching in the buttons for the newspaper.

    ***

    ‘Thanks,’ Emma said, scribbling down the details on the pad next to the phone. ‘You’ve been a great help.’
    ‘You got the name?’ Will asked.
    ‘Eventually,’ Emma said. ‘The photos in today’s paper all came from the same person. He’s a freelance photographer called David Sherborn.’
    ‘Contact details?’
    ‘Telephone number and address. I think it’s better if we go and see him face to face. I don’t want to scare him off by calling him cold.’
    ‘Maybe he’s watching us right now.’ Will moved over to the window and looked down at the street.
    ‘Don’t,’ Emma said. ‘It gives me the creeps.’
    ‘It’s not the same as before though,’ Will said. ‘This guy isn’t crazy, like Stephen Myers – he’s just doing his job.’
    ‘That’s what Guy Roberts said, but it’s still stalking, whatever the motivation.’
    ‘True,’ agreed Will. ‘And you still want to meet this man?’
    ‘Yes. The way I see it, I haven’t got a choice.’

    ***

    ‘This is the house,’ Emma said, standing in front of the door.
    They had travelled across London, over the river. Ironically, it wasn’t far from Stuart’s flat, although the environment was very different – the wealth showed in the selection of executive cars parked in and around the streets, and the newly built homes contrasted with the grim dwellings just a few streets away.
    ‘One last chance to change your mind,’ Will said.
    Emma knocked.
    ‘Can I help?’ A young, pretty woman answered. She was carrying a tiny baby over her shoulder and patted his back as she stood there, rocking gently.
    ‘We’re here to see David,’ Emma said.
    ‘You’re a client?’
    ‘Yes,’ Emma lied.
    ‘Hang on a minute,’ she said, turning around and shouting